Originally posted by CAP1
If you plan on fighting think of it in these terms; If you both fly straight at each other (or close to it), you aren't setting up to aquire his six. You can't. At best, after the merge, if you both turn (immel, etc.), you're probably going to end up facing one another nose to nose again. And the cycle continues until someone breaks it (probably to their detriment), extends or wins a HO or high forward deflection shot.
2)i find myself in this a lot.........and sometimes even when i don't fly straight at the guy/..i try an off angle immel, or i try to dive under, or under and off to his side, rolling bakc into him....but find he seems to be able to bring his nose round faster than me.....
So, to avoid this, you need to create seperation (vertical or horizontal) so that your already turning for his six as you merge. That might mean you have to turn out, briefly showing your belly but that's ok if the timing is right. Roll out, then back in, or dive and pull back up. Either way he'll have to turn into you and the fight begins. At least you're past the HO and now it's time to use your acm to gain angles. There is still the possibility of a high deflection forward shot on the merge but you'll just have to learn what that looks like, and the angles needed to avoid it (or take it).
3) now the problem i get here.....when i DO try to create seperation, it seems as if the bogie turns directly into me 99% of the time....and i STILL end up in the situation above...unles i run away(which i hate as i want the fight..win or lose, THAT'S the fun)
Cap, the con is almost always going to try to keep his nose on you, or even lead a little, so I'm not surprised you're running into these situations. Timing is everything, from the time you turn out to the time you roll back in.
Picture this... cup both hands, then place the fingertips of each hand in the palms of the other. This is approximately the situation you are trying to create on the merge.
Now slide your fingertips to the ball of your hand. Notice that you are now locked in a nose to tail fight after just a short delay in your turn.
Now place your fingertips together. This is the nose to nose situation you get into when you turn in too soon.
I know this is pretty rudimentary but it illustrates the effects of timing on your initial moves.
